DEMOLITION has started of an unloved London landmark -- the concourse at the front of King's Cross station. It was built in the 1970s as a 'temporary' structure, and has finally been supplanted by the new western concourse which opened in March.

When it has gone the original frontage of the station, designed by Lewis Cubitt, will be revealed in full as the background to a new public square occupying more than 7,000 square metres.

The square has been designed by architects Stanton Williams and is due to open in the autumn of next year, completing the modernisation of King's Cross.

Network Rail programme manager Matt Tolan said: "We’re finally removing a building that’s almost universally unloved, restoring the station to its full architectural glory and creating a modern station fit for the future that gives passengers and the local community a huge new space to enjoy.

"With the completion of the final phase of King’s Cross station’s redevelopment, we aim to bring a bit of the grandness and old-world charm of Europe’s city-centre railway stations right to the heart of 21st century London.